Med Lab Scientist Salary

Kennewick vs Vancouver: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Kennewick, WA and Vancouver, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kennewick, WA
$65,697
$31.59/hr
Vancouver, WA
$91,250
$43.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKennewick, WAVancouver, WA
Median Salary$65,697$91,250
Hourly Rate$31.59$43.87
Entry Level (P10)$46,398$52,984
25th Percentile$52,481$69,415
75th Percentile$89,847$116,800
Top Earner (P90)$107,126$141,438
Total Employed25037
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kennewick ($65,697) and Vancouver ($91,250) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.KennewickVancouverMedian Salary$65,697$91,250Entry Level (P10)$46,398$52,984Top Earner (P90)$107,126$141,438US Median $68,734

Verdict

Vancouver, WA offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kennewick.

The salary gap between Kennewick and Vancouver is $25,553 (38.90%). Vancouver's median is +32.76% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kennewick spans $60,728,Vancouver spans $88,454. Vancouver has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Kennewick
P10 (Entry)$46,398
P25$52,481
Median$65,697
P75$89,847
P90 (Top)$107,126
Vancouver
P10 (Entry)$52,984
P25$69,415
Median$91,250
P75$116,800
P90 (Top)$141,438

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Vancouver ($84,963 effective) pays 29.43% more than Kennewick ($65,645 effective).

Kennewick
Nominal: $65,697
CoL Index: 100.079
Adjusted: $65,645
Vancouver
Nominal: $91,250
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $84,963

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kennewick if…

  • Larger job market (250 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Vancouver if…

  • Higher median salary ($91,250/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($141,438)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $84,963)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Kennewick grew 33.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -7.8% growth in Vancouver over the same period.

Kennewick, WA

+33.2%

$47,850 (2019) → $63,759 (2025)

Vancouver, WA

+-7.8%

$96,072 (2024) → $88,558 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Kennewick or Vancouver?

Vancouver has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $91,250/year, compared to Kennewick at $65,697/year — a difference of $25,553 (38.90%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kennewick and Vancouver?

Kennewick medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $31.59/hr while Vancouver hygienists earn $43.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kennewick to Vancouver as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kennewick and Vancouver. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kennewick = $65,645, Vancouver = $84,963), job availability (250 vs 37 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Kennewick vs Vancouver?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $46,398 in Kennewick and $52,984 in Vancouver. The Vancouver area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Alexandra Choi, MS, MT(ASCP)

Career Analyst

Alexandra has 10 years of experience in clinical laboratory science. She specializes in molecular diagnostics. She works at a large metropolitan hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Jerome Patel, BS, MT(ASCP)Data verified by Fatima Hussain, MS, CLS

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.04% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Choi, MS, MT(ASCP), a licensed medical and clinical laboratory technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov